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Hands Around the World |
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Indian Cultures from Around the World
Purepecha - Tarascan Indians
The Purepecha Indians are a
very traditional tribe living in the Sierra Madre mountains of Mexico in the
State of Michoacan. They
still speak their native Indian tongue and adhere to many of the ancient
customs. Today Purepecha descendants number over 120,000. They make charming sculptures from area clay which they hand paint.
They combine Catholicism with their native beliefs resulting in wonderfully
colorful and fanciful folk art.
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Purépecha Indians (Tarascans). The Purépecha Indians - also referred
to as the Tarascans, Tarscos, and Porhé - inhabited most of present-day
Michoacán and boasted a powerful empire that rivaled the Aztec Empire during the
Fifteenth and early Sixteenth Centuries. As recently as 1990, the Purápecha
numbered 120,000 speakers. This language, classified as an isolated language,
was spoken along the southern fringes of southern Jalisco, adjacent to the
border with Colima. (Text from
History of Mexico - Indigenous Jalisco).
Photos property of Hands Around the World.
For some pictures, click on the
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The Purepecha often make various
sculptures of vehicles with skeletons or devils riding on them. The idea is to
warn about the perils of reckless driving.
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| 15" tall x 11" long. |
6" long x 6" tall. |
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| 7 1/2" long x 7" tall. |
7 1/2" long x 6 1/2" tall. |
These skeletons and devils have a small cup as their body.
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| 4 3/4" tall. |
3 3/4" tall. |
The Purepecha Indians make
charming folk art from area clay which they hand paint. Their imaginative
sculptures often combine their native traditions with Christian ones.
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An excellent example of the combination of native and
Christian beliefs, this extra large nativity combines the Purepecha
Blackface ceremony with the Nativity. Note the two little devils climbing
in the tree. A really wonderful folk art piece, it measures 16" high and
16 1/2" long. Signed by artist Antonia Cruz Rafael Calle. |
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This Nativity is placed on a large floral base shaped like
a cake stand. With angels in front and a devil behind, this folk art
sculpture by Victor Mateo Julian measures 14" tall and 15" in diameter. |
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Imaginative and colorful Last Supper - with bread, fish,
and -- watermelon. By folk artist Victor Mateo Julian it measures 15" long
and 6 1/2" tall. |
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Hand made and painted pottery nativity is a whimsical
example of folk art by Teresa Raphael of the Purepecha village of Ocumicho.
Tree of Life Nativity is 17" tall 13" wide and 5" deep. |
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These pottery nativities are hand made by Joaquin
Victor of the Purepecha village of Ocumicho. They are shaped like a basket
with colorful flower or leaves along the handle and the Holy Family inside.
They are approx. 8" tall 7" wide and 5" deep. |
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Colorful plaques of the Virgin with a small angel and
a hole at top for hanging are hand made by Audelia of the Purepecha village
of Ocumicho. They are approx. 5 1/2" tall and 4" wide. |
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These crucifixes have a hole at top for hanging are
hand made by Audelia of the Purepecha village of Ocumicho. They
are approx. 5" tall and 3" wide. |
The Purepecha create wonderfully
imaginative sculpture of local clay which are then hand painted in bright
colors. Many times they combine traditional Indian and Christian motifs in
their work. Much of their work is created for the Day of the Dead festival.
They are excellent collectible examples of true folk art.
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| Mermaid - 10" long x 8" tall. |
Devil and Woman on a motorcycle - 8" long x 10" tall. |
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Colorful, Purepecha clay crucifix may be hung on the wall.
15" tall x 13" wide. |
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"Peace to the World" is signed by Purepecha artist Antonir
Felipe Cadelanio. It is a large 13 1/2" tall x 9 1/2" wide. |
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Large Purepecha Adam and Eve candelabra holds five
candles. 16" tall x 16" wide. |
The Purepecha make wonderful folk art of wood
hand painted in vibrant colors.
Hand carved and painted wooden mask measures 12 inches
from tip to tip of horns and is 10 inches tall.
Hand painted clay mask measures 11 inches from tip to tip
of horns and is 8 inches tall.
Additional Information
Tzintzuntzan, Mexico -- Purepecha (Tarascan) People; by Randy R ...
INDIGENOUS IDENTITY IN THE MEXICAN CENSUS
[PDF] GEOGRAPHICAL ORIGINS OF THE TARASCANS
Roth-Seneff and Kemper - Tarascans
Click here to visit our Native
American Indian
market for baskets, pottery, and
other hand made crafts
 Index
Hands Around the World
111 E. Main, Jonesborough, Tennessee 37659
Phone: (423) 753-8177 Fax: (423) 913-2489
E-mail: handsaroundtheworld@earthlink.net
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